Bicycle-ambulance.



No. 660,769. Patented Oct, 30; I900. H. L. GETZ.

BICYCLE AMBULANCE.

(A ueafion fiigd on. 21, 1899.] (N0 MO B 4 shoots- Sha n l.

wfinessas hm? mic-c No. 660,769. Patented Oct. 30, I900.

. H. L. GETZ.

BICYCLE AMBULANCE.

(Application flied Oct. 21, -1 899.) (No Model.)

4 Shoots-Sheet g.-

Ufiinasaas. -/5\/ lmrzmion.

Tm: u'onms PETERS ca. PHoraumQ. WASHINDTON, o. c.

0 0 m 0 3 (L ,G 0 d, e t n a t a P Z E ,G L am 6 0 6 6 0 N BICYCLE AIBULANCE.

(Application filed Oct. 21, 1899.)

4 Sheet-Sheot 4.

m0 Mo'del.)

THE minus mzns m mm'uu'mo. wmmmbu. m c.

UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

llIRAM LANDIS GETZ, OF MARSHALLTOWN, IOWA.

BICYCLE-AM BULANCE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 660,769, dat d, O tober 30, 190 0. Application filed October 21, 1899. berial No. 734,399- Iio model.)

To ctZZ whmn it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HIRAM LANDIS GETZ, a citizen of the United States, residing at Marshalltown, in the county of Marshall and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bicyc1e-Ambulances,of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a device of this class of simple, strong, durable, and inexpensive construction in which the bicycle may be used in the ordinary manner by a person desiring to ride to the scene of an accident, who can conveniently carry with him all of the parts of the bicycle-ambulance, and, further, to provide an ambulance of this class which may be readily,easily,and quickly set up and upon which the injured person may easily and quickly be placed with the least possible discomfort to him, and, further, to provide an ambulance upon which the injured person may be easily propelled overordinary roadways and to provide an ambulance which may be taken up or down stairways and through narrow passage-ways as readily as a stretcher without the ambulance may be carried.

My invention consists in certain. details in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the stretcher proper, in the construction of the handle-bars and stretcher-clamping devices thereon, in the construction of the support for the rear of the stretcher, and in the construction, arrangement, and combination therewith of the seat-supporting device, in the construction, arrangement, and combination, with a bicycle, of the means for steering same, and in certain other details of construction, arrangement, and combination hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a plan view of a modified form of the stretcher supported upona bicycle. Fig. 2 shows a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 shows a front elevation of the same. Fig. 4ishows a side elevation of the bicycle with the stretcher-supporting devices in the position in which they are placed when the machine is used as a bicycle. Fig. 5 shows an enlarged detail front elevation of the handie-bar having the stretcher-supporting devices thereon. Fig. .6 shows in detail the key .the rear end of the stretcher. an enlarged detail View of the thumb-screw for securing the handle-bars in position with relation to the handle-bar stem. Fig. 7 shows a front elevation of the device for supporting Fig. 8 shows for clamping the crossbar of the device for supporting the rear end of the stretcher. Fig. 9 shows an enlarged detail view of the screw for clamping the side rails of the stretcher to the cross-bars. Fig. 10 shows in detail one of the flexible metal stri ps that are detachably secured to the side rails of the stretcher for supporting a persons body and also the hook by which they are secured to said side rails. Fig. 11 is an enlarged detail view illustrating the device for clamping the steering-handle to the front fork of the bicycle. Fig. 12 shows an enlarged detail side View of the device for clamping a seat to the cross-bar which supports the rear end of the stretcher. Fig. 13 shows a front elevation of the same. Fig. 14 shows the top portion of a bicycle having my preferred form'of stretcher folded and strapped to the bicycle-frame in condition for riding to the scene of an accident. Fig. 15 shows a top or plan view of my improved'form of stretcher. Fig. 16 shows a similar view with the canvas removed. Fig. 17 shows the side rails and one of the cross-pieces of my improved form of stretcher. Fig. 18 shows a detail view illustrating the means for holding the cross'pieces of the stretcher to the side rails. Fig. 19 shows in perspective a modified form of the stretcher, part of the canvas cover being removed. Fig. 20 shows a transverse sectional view of the same modification. Fig. 21 shows a detail section illustrating the joint in the central cross-piece, and Fig. 22 is a detail perspective of the sliding sleeve to cover the joint in the central rod.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, I have used the reference-letter A to indicate the handle-bar of the machine. The handlebar stem is indicated by the symbol A and the symbol A designates the bicycle-frame, which is of the ordinary construction. This handlebar A is rotatably mounted in the head P of the stem. A key L is passed through the head P and through an opening in the handle-bar A, and a winged nut D is provided whereby the key may be drawn into place and the handle-bar firmly locked to its position. In the end portions of the handlebar are the notches D of such size and shape to admit the side rails of a stretcher, and the set-screws G are provided for the purpose of clamping said side rails in said notches. I have provided for supporting the rear of the stretcher from the seat-post support of the bicycle as follows: The symbol B indicates a cross-bar corresponding in shape to the handle-bar A. It is passed through the head Q, to which the seat-post B is fixed. A set-screw H is provided for clamping this bar B in positionwithin the head Q. In the outer ends of the cross-bar B are the notches B designed to receive the side rails of the stretcher, and the set-screws G are provided for clamping these side rails in the said notches. By means of this mechanism just de scribed it is obvious that the cross-bar B may be rotated within the seat-post head Q when the set-screw H is lo0sened, so that the hooks B inthe ends of the cross-bar B may be turned either upwardly or downwardly and firmly clamped in position by the set-screw H. It is further obvious that on account of the seat-post B being clamped to a bicycle- I frame in an ordinary way the said cross-bar B may turn to a position in alinement with the frame and be secured in this position the same as in its position transversely of the The means for clamping the seat frame. post to the bicycle is not illustrated for the reason that any of the ordinary forms may be used. In this connection I have provided means whereby a saddle may be supported on top of the seat-post head Q when the head is turned to a position in alinement with the frame, as follows: The reference-symbol K (clearlyillustratedin Figs.12 and 13) is shaped to overlap the head Q and'is securely clamped to the, said head by first removing the setscrew H from the head, then passing it through the clamp K and the head Q. On

top of-the clamp K is an integral block 0, having paral'lelgrooves 0 in its sides. Above the block 0 is a second block 0 having grooves O to mate with the grooves 0 and the set-screw 0 passes through these two blocks from the top, whereby the blocks may be drawn together. The parallel'saddle-s u pporting springs O are passed through the Q as required to cla'mp'the cross-bar B in position, with the hooks B extending upwardly, as shown in Fig. '7. Then the cross-bar Bis turned to a position at right angles 'to the bicycle-frame and clamped in this positionby the usual seat-post-clam'ping mechanism.

When the device is used for supporting a stretcher, the stem of the'handle-bar is permitted to move freely in the steering-head of The saddle-clamp K is removed the bicycle, and to provide means whereby the wheel can be conveniently steered when the stretcher is in use I have provided a metal socket 0, having an integral projection C at one corner thereof. A clip N is adjustably secured to the socket G by means of the set-screw N and its end is formed to coact with the projection O in clamping the socket to one of the fork sides. A screwM is provided to intersect the opening in the socket to thereby provide for clamping the curved handle M in the socket. This handle projects laterally from the bicycle, so that a person walking at the side of the stretcher may readily steer the bicycle.

The stretcher proper is composed of two side rails, (indicated by the letters R and U.) The part U is of slightly smaller diameter than the tube R, so that it may be telescoped within said tube. On each end of the tube R isascrew-cap J,and at suitableintervals along each of the tubes R and U are the openings T. The cross-bars for the stretcher-frame are also composed of tubes V, somewhat smaller in diameter than the tube U, so that they may telescope within said tube and so that their ends may enter the openings T. On each end of said cross-bars V is a spring X, fixed to the tube to project upwardly and y then downwardly over the end of the tube. When the device is folded, the cross-pieces V are placed within the side rail R and the W, and a cord Z is provided to be laced through these openings, beginning at one end of the stretcher, beyon d the cross-piece V,and then passing along one side of the stretcher, within the side rail U, and finally along the other end of the stretcher outside ofthe cross piece U. By this means it is obvious that the canvas cover serves the purpose of permanently securing the parts of the stretcher together, and no hooks or other projecting devices are required.

I have also provided means for securing the side rails of a stretcher together and furnishing a support for a person upon the stretcher,as follows: In each of the side rails I h'aveseate'd a number of screw-hooks F,ca-

pable of turning in said siderails, and I have provi-(led'a number of thin flexible metal strips E, having. slots C in their ends large enough to admit the ends of the hooks F.

upon the side rails with the hooks projecting ICC through the slots therein. Then obviously when the hooks are turned at right angles the strips will be firmly secured in position. WVith this means of supporting a person upon the stretcher it is obvious that the stretcher may be laid upon a bed and the strips detached from the side rails and Withdrawn separately from under the person without disturbing him.

In the modified form illustrated in Figs. 19, 20, 21, and 22 the side rails are made of tubing, as in the other forms, and are indicated by the symbols R and U. The two bed crosspieces R are made of tubing, the ends of which enter openings formed in the side rails. Each of these cross-pieces R is provided with a hinge-joint R at its central portion, permitting it to be folded in one direction only. The central cross-piece is composed of two tube-sections, each designed to enter openings in the side rails and one, R being provid ed with a rounded plug R while the other, R, has a sliding sleeve R on its end, the movement of which is limited by a pin R in the part B and passed through a slot R in the sleeve. Said slot has the notches R therein to receive the pin when the sleeve is at either end of its movement, and thereby lock the sleeve against further sliding movement until it is first turned. The stretchercover for this form is indicated by the symbol U and has loops U in its edge to receive the side rails R and U. In use with this form the side rails are first placed in the loops U at the edges of the cover. Then the end cross-pieces are placed in the holes prepared for them in the siderails. They are of course bent at their joints and the cover is not drawn tight. Then the central cross-piece is connected with the side rails, the rounded head as one piece entering the end of the mating piece, whereupon all the cross-pieces are forced to a position where they are straight, and the cover is thereby stretched taut, after which the sleeve is made to cover the ends of the central cross-piece, thereby locking the stretcher in its position ready for use. It is attached to the bicycle in the same manner as the other forms of stretchers.

In practical use it is obvious that the frame of the stretcher may be readily carried upon a persons shoulder or strapped to the bicycleframe by means of the straps S,'as shown in Fig. 14, and the bicycle ridden to the scene of an accident or the place where the person is to be carried from. Then the stretcher is set up and secured on top of the bicycle in the manner hereinbefore fully described. Then if it is desired the bicycle, with the stretcher on top of it, may be laid flat on its side adjacent to the person, and the operators of the device may then raise the bicycle to its vertical position with the person on the stretcher. If the person is in a standing position, he may be easily and quickly placed upon the stretcher by simply tilting the bicycle so that stretcher without legs may be handled.

one of the operators walks at the rear of the machine to support the rear end of the stretcher, while the other walks either at the front of the machine or at the side, near the front. If desired, the steering-stem may be locked in the steering-head, so that the operator at the forward end may partially carry the front end of the stretcher, leaving the major portion of the weight of the person to rest upon the bicycle-frame, or, if desired, the steering-handle M may be attached to the frame and the bicycle steered by means thereof, leaving the entire weight of the poison and stretcher to be supported by the bicycle. It is obvious, further, that the stretcher may be taken through narrow passage-Ways or up and down stairs and inclines with the same facility with which an ordinary For instance, in going up stairs the side rails of the stretcher may be detached from the rear support, and the person carrying the rear of the stretcher may then raise the rear end, still leaving the greater portion of the weight upon the bicycle, and yet maintaining the person in a horizontal position. Obviously in going down stairs or steep inclines the front of the stretcher may be detached and the same operation carried out, or the entire bicycle may be readily and quickly dropped and the patient carried as on an ordinary stretcher.

Having thus described'my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States therefor, is-

1. The combination with a bicycle, of a handle-bar having notches in its ends to receive the side rails of a stretcher, a cross-bar to be attached to the seat-support of a bicycle, also having notches in its ends, and means for detachably securing the side rails of the stretchers in said notches, for the purposes stated.

2. The combination with a bicycle, of a handle-bar having notches in its ends to receive the side rails of a stretcher, a cross-bar to be attached to the seat-support of a bicycle, also having notches in its ends, and means for detachably securing the side rails of the stretcher in said notches, and a handle detachably secured to the steering-frame of a bicycle to project laterally, for the purposes stated.

3. In a stretcher-supporting device for bicycles, the combination of a stem designed to be secured to the seat-support of a bicycleframe, a cross-piece having notches in its ends, rotatably mounted in said stem, means for clamping the side rails of a stretcher in said notches, a clip designed to be detachably secured to the head of the said stem, and means for detachably securing a bicycle-saddle to said clip when the cross-piece isturned into the plane of the wheels, substantially as and for the purposes stated.

4. An improved bicycle-ambulance, comprising in combination, a bicycle-frame, a cross-bar connected with the steering-head thereof, another cross-bar connected with the frame, a stretcher-frame detachably secured to the said cross-bars, and means forsteering the front Wheel of the bicycle, substantially as set forth.

5. An improved bicycle-ambulance, comprising in combination, a bicycle-frame, a cross-bar rotatably mounted in the steeringhead of the bicycle-frame, a cross-bar connected with the bicycle-frame, a stretcher having its side rails detachably connected with the said cross-bars and a handle clamped to the steering-fork of the bicycle-frame, sub stantially as set forth.

6. An improved bicycle-ambulance, comprising in combination a bicycle-frame, a cross-bar rotatably mounted in the steeringhead of the bicycle-frame, means for clamping said cross-bar firmly in position in the steering-head, an upright, mounted in the seat-post support, a cross-bar in the top of said upright, and means for connecting the side rails of a stretcher with the ends of said cross-bars, for the purposes stated.

HIRAM LANDIS GETZ.

Witnesses:

O. W. BACON, T. P. MARSH. 

